You've probably heard some variation of the story that people need to drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
Well, it's true that people need water.
It's not true that we all need six to eight glasses a day, though.
Here are some of the reasons why.
The first factor is size.
Kids have what I'll call a lower base water line than adults.
What I mean by that is, excluding other factors, kids need less water each day.
That's simply because kids are smaller.
Also, those who are over weight and especially those who are obese, need more water than average adults simply because their bodies are bigger.
What are those other factors I mentioned? Well, the big one is activity level.
In other words, someone who exercises more is going to sweat more.
That means that they'll need more water to replenish their body.
After all, the human body is mainly water.
Is hydration really that important? Definitely! If you allow yourself to get dehydrated it can make you tired.
It can also increase your odds of getting sick easier and staying sick longer.
On top of that, you could even suffer a complete physical collapse, if you get dehydrated.
So, the bottom line is that you need to drink enough water to replenish whatever you spend each day.
It's a good idea to ask your doctor for tips about your specific hydration needs.
Just remember that it can change from day to day.
When in doubt, drink extra water.
A little too much won't hurt, but not enough could.